Title
Whitewood Mine Redistricting Bylaw 2018-02 (File PD-2017-039)
Related to Whitewood Conceptual Scheme (File PD-2017-040)
Proposed Motions
1. That Bylaw 2018-02 receive first reading.
2. That a public hearing be scheduled on March 27, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. to hear public comment on Bylaw 2018-02 and the supporting Whitewood Conceptual Scheme.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the redistricting application and supporting Conceptual Scheme as presented.
Purpose
The purpose of the redistricting application is to amend Schedule A, Land Use District Map within Land Use Bylaw No. 2017-18 to redistrict approximately 1600 hectares (3,954 acres) of land for the Whitewood Mine site under the ownership of TransAlta. The requested redistricting is from the Resource Extraction District (RE) to the Conservation District (PC), the Agricultural Nature/Conservation District (ANC), and the Agricultural General District (AGG). The amendment will also remove the lands from the Whitewood Direct Control District Regulations (DC Area 3). A supporting Conceptual Scheme has been prepared in support of the redistricting and to provide a framework for subsequent subdivision and/or development of the land.
Summary
The Whitewood Mine is owned by TransAlta and is located 65km west of Edmonton and directly north of the Yellowhead Highway. All parcels within the proposed re-districting and conceptual scheme area are owned by TransAlta Corporation. Mining activity at the Whitewood mine ceased on March 31, 2010 and reclamation at various stages has been on-going since 1982. The Whitewood Mine reclamation has been planned in such a manner as to provide large tracks of land for extensive agricultural purposes (AGG & ANC). In addition, large areas of recreational/conservation land (PC) will be developed; which includes Whitewood Lake, West Pit Lake and rolling topography to provide hiking trails and viewpoints for passive recreation activities.
PC - Conservation District Lands will provide for the preservation of environmentally sensitive and significant areas which have significant natural capability for conservation, passive recreation and education. The lands are being reclaimed by TransAlta with the purpose of providing valuable natural wildlife habitat (tree planting for wildlife use) with passive recreational opportunities. The creation of this area will serve to attract people from neighbouring villages, country residential, lakeshore residential, and other Capital Region visitors, Given its large size, it is well suited to conservation purposes similar to East Pit Lake.
ANC - Agricultural Nature/Conservation District is the preferred districting for the future agricultural lands adjacent to the PC - Conservation District lands which are intended for agricultural conservation, passive recreation and education purposes. These lands will further help foster and promote conservation by limiting future density and potentially providing additional wildlife corridors. Additionally, this district prevents undue fragmentation of the lands as the number of future subdivisions and future density is more restricted. The permitted and discretionary uses are more limited than AGG to ensure the Whitewood Mine Lands remain predominately agricultural in nature.
AGG - Agricultural General Districted Lands are also provided within the Whitewood Mine Conceptual Scheme. While the goal of the Conceptual Scheme is to return the lands to their pre-mining state for preservation, conservation, education and increased natural capabilities, the AGG district in these select locations allows more agriculturally focused permitted and discretionary uses which may be of a benefit to future land owners. The majority of the AGG lands are to be retained by TransAlta.
The phasing of development in the mine area will generally proceed according to market demand, subject to the completion of reclamation on mined lands. However, while redistricting and subdivision may occur immediately, TransAlta will not divest any lands until Reclamation Certificates are granted by the Province of Alberta. Adoption of the Conceptual Scheme and redistricting applications will establish specific expectations that will guide the implementation of the Whitewood Conceptual Scheme. Subsequently, consideration of subdivision and development permit applications may follow.
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal:
The redistricting application was assessed against the County's applicable statutory and non-statutory plans. The redistricting application was determined to be consistent with the applicable statutory plans and surrounding land uses. Administration is supportive of the prepared Whitewood Conceptual Scheme which will provide a framework for the subsequent subdivision and/or development of land. Detailed review of the relevant planning policies regarding the proposed redistricting are included within the attached Administrative Report.
Financial Impact:
Cost: $0
Source of Funding: Private Development